As an investor, I’ve been fortunate to back some extraordinary founders tackling tough, technical challenges. But every once in a while, an investment comes along that not only promises financial returns - it has the power to change lives. For me, that investment is Skylo.
Skylo’s mission is simple yet profound: connect the unconnected. While we like to think the world is seamlessly networked, the reality is that vast swathes of the planet remain out of reach of reliable, affordable connectivity. Despite advances in mobile networks, 85% of the planet still lacks dependable cellular coverage. Farms, fishing boats, rural roads and entire communities still operate without the lifeline that data provides.
Skylo is the world’s largest standards-based direct-to-device network, enabling smartphones, vehicles, and IoT devices to connect via satellite when cellular networks are unavailable. Unlike traditional satellite providers that focus on expensive broadband for a select few, Skylo eliminates coverage gaps by allowing standard cellular devices to relay signals over satellites when they're not in range of cell towers.. This means reliable, low-cost data connectivity anywhere, with the economies of scale of the cellular ecosystem without the need for additional hardware. With over seven million devices already activated - ranging from phones in pockets and watches on wrists, to sensors on industrial machines or tractors in fields, to trucks on highways - Skylo’s network is transforming how we manage supply chains, monitor equipment, and keep communities safe.
That last piece - helping people when they need it most - is what hits home for me. Every week, Skylo’s technology makes the difference between life and death for more than a handful of people. I’ve heard stories about dirt bike riders who crash on off-road trails and call for help, drivers who break down on isolated roads and connect to assistance, hikers - pregnant and lost - who signal for rescue, and people experiencing extreme chest pains in poorly connected suburbs who are able to get the help they need. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they’re real people whose lives were saved because they finally had a connection.
As an investor, I’m constantly reminded that the most meaningful investments are not measured just in numbers but in the real human impact they create. Skylo’s work is a testament to that - a bridge to the digital economy for communities that have been left behind, bringing with it new opportunities for growth, productivity, and resilience as more devices, vehicles, and critical systems come online. I’m so excited to see what’s next as more device manufacturers and app developers embrace these new innovations, uniting satellite and cellular networks to build services that will cover the entire Earth.
